A NEW £2.7m high-speed catamaran to link Southampton with the Isle of Wight was officially named by round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur yesterday.

After saying the famous words: "I name this vessel Red Jet Four. God bless her and all who sail in her," it was time for the traditional bottle of champagne to crash against the hull of the catamaran.

Twice Ellen pressed the button to trigger the mechanism but both times the bottle stubbornly refused to break until finally a crew member of the catamaran came to the rescue and smashed it with a large hammer, sending the champagne cascading over the decks.

Red Jet Four is the biggest catamaran yet to be introduced by Southampton-based ferry operator Red Funnel.

The 39-metre catamaran is larger than the present three Red Jets and has been constructed to carry up to 277 passengers. The extra capacity is needed to cope with busy rush-hours and more and more holidaymakers during the hectic summer months.

Some of the latest technology has been used in the catamaran construction, including the passenger cabin being mounted on special blocks to reduce noise and vibration during the journey.

Alistair Whyte, managing director of Red Funnel, said: "We are delighted to take ownership of Red Jet Four.

"The new Red Jet is the biggest in our fleet and with its improved design will cut through the water with even greater ease, offering our passengers an even smoother ride."

FACTFILE:

Builder: North West Bay Ships of Tasmania, Australia.

Service Speed: 35 knots.

Passenger capacity: 277.

Length overall: 39.23 metres.

Draught (loaded): 1.3m.

Full load displacement: 121 tonnes.

Main engines: Two turbo-charged diesels.

Propulsion: Two controllable marine jet power water jets.